South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) has appointed a new leader.

SLDC has confirmed that councillor Jonathan Brook is the new leader of the council.

Councillor Brook was appointed at the Annual Council Meeting, on May 19, and takes over as Leader from Councillor Giles Archibald, who has served as Leader since 2016.

Councillor Brook represents the Kendal South and Natland ward and has served as an SLDC councillor since 2006, latterly as Deputy Leader and Housing and Innovation portfolio holder.

As well as the role of Leader Councillor Brook will also take on the portfolio duties for Innovation and Promoting South Lakeland.

Councillor Brook said: “I am hugely grateful and honoured to have the opportunity to represent the council in the role of Leader. I look forward to working with you all, as we seek to build a sustainable and inclusive future for our residents and communities across our large, varied and wonderful district.”

Also paid tribute to outgoing Leader Councillor Giles Archibald, describing him as “a hardworking, principled and insightful Leader, who has led the council through many difficult, diverse and unique challenges.”

Councillor Archibald said it had been a “huge privilege’’ to serve as Leader, citing partnership working on new playgrounds, the roll-out of expanded kerbside recycling, delivering new affordable homes, taking action to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss and undertaking the Customer Connect transformation programme as among the council’s most significant achievements during his time as Leader.

Councillor Archibald added: “I want to express my enormous thanks to fellow councillors and to the officers and council staff, who have worked extraordinarily well and hard during the Covid-19 crisis to tackle its effects, help to protect the vulnerable, support businesses, assist with local track and trace, and at the same time maintain essential services. I have nothing but admiration for the way they have worked.”

He will continue to serve as a councillor, representing Kendal Town ward.

Windermere Councillor Andrew Jarvis has been announced as deputy leader while retaining the Finance and Assets portfolio.

The rest of the confirmed cabinet includes: Councillor Helen Chaffey holding the Housing Portfolio, Councillor Robin Ashcroft holding the Economy, Culture and Leisure Portfolio, Councillor Dyan Jones as Climate Action and Biodiversity Portfolio holder, Councillor Suzie Pye as Health, Wellbeing and Poverty Alleviation portfolio holder and Councillor Philip Dixon as Customer and Locality Services portfolio holder.

Councillor Tom Harvey, Leader of the Conservative Group, confirmed that, along with himself, Councillors John Holmes, Roger Bingham, Pat Bell, Helen Irving, Kevin Holmes and Jeanette Jenkinson would comprise the new Shadow Cabinet, with shadow portfolio roles to be allocated.

Councillor David Webster has been selected as the new Leader of the Labour Group, succeeding fellow Ulverston East Councillor Mark Wilson.

At the Annual Meeting Councillor Pete McSweeney was also elected as Chairman of the Council and Councillor Matt Severn was elected as Vice-Chairman.